Marlin had to sit on the edge of the sparring ground to cool off his euphoria and adrenaline. It was certainly interesting to see how even in a magical world, drugging yourself up, supernatural or not, was not considered the smartest thing. Rage was basically a shot of euphoric clarity. Sure anger was there but it served as the trigger to let the damns break.
Compared to the insidious whispers of his darkness, that he only noticed during heights of his rage, it was but an inconvenience.
He was given a vigor potion and received some healing from a local priest.
He looked at Milly who had her arms crossed. To all around it looked like she was going to scold him, but the mischievous tug on her lips told Marlin otherwise.
“Hey Milly! Fancy seeing you here, YO OLD MAN! These are the 3 I was talking about”. He yelled at the Old receptionist.
The 3 T’jut gave him the ‘explain’ look.
”whimpering bitch over there”, he pointed at the giant getting his knee set and healed, “questioned the validity of our kill on Thror”.
The old man came over and handed Marlin a fat purse. “You believe me now?” Marlin smirked.
To which the Old man smirked back and showed a much fatter purse. “I never doubted you kid, This letter is the genuine article. I know Audrey from way back, she talked about you a couple of times. The name is Joffrey, thanks for the hustle”. He grins and walks off to get back to his paperwork.
Joffrey was wiry, rigid face with a short neatly trimmed beard. His medium long hair line never receded. Many lines of old age Marred his face. Which meant he was over 200 years old at least. very smart with the way his eyes seemed to analyze everything, the intellectual type. He had a way with how he moved his hands, that told Marlin he was a spellcaster of sorts.
”evoker, maaaybe a mage”, Milly answered his unasked question.
“Looks like you are buying the rounds Marlin”, Kotak smirked. To which Marlin waved over a waitress who trembled a bit but calmed down after Kotak calmly ordered.
“Im really not that scary when you get to know me!” He called after the waitress, who huddled away a bit faster.
”That ship has sailed marlin,” Bron Deadpanned. “You made me look reasonable with that display. Were you really going to rip his balls off?” He looked at Marlin concerned.
“Did I say that?” Marlin looked at the three. All of them nodded, including the gnoll’s who had sat down and demanded beer.
”Well you know, heat of the moment and all that. I probably wouldn’t have”, His fiendish smirk made everyone doubt that.
”Mastah soow strong!! He stabs dat ugly mutt wid da shield!!”
People flinched hearing tyrannic speech. “You can regale that fight later, now it’s time for you to scout, listen in on what people say, once you are done 3 pints of mead will be waiting for you”.
They grumbled but got to work. Marlin had learned long ago, that everything the gnolls received, he had to make them work for it or they would lose their discipline in a heartbeat.
”So anyone else, you pissed off?” Milly asked.
”Just the guards, they weren’t letting me in, it’l blow over”, Marlin answered.
Marlin and his friends were talking for about an hour. Everyone else went back to their usual business. All the freebooters gave the gnoll’s a wide birth. The cutthroat ambiance lightened a bit but was still very much present. Marlin spotted an unusual amount of bandits by the way they carried themselves.
”Rematch”. Marlin turned around. “Excuse me?” He raised one eyebrow.
The giant Gromwul was standing in front of him again. “As an apology to you, I didn’t take your honor seriously, besmirched the integrity of your word, and underestimated your ferocity on the battlefield”. Marlin looked him over The giant was serious.
Milly scoffed, “are you serious big guy? Think you can get the drop on him? We all saw how that turned out.”
Gromwul didn’t respond, he simply looked at Marlin waiting for an answer. Marlin smirked. “Deal, I liked the way you fought it’s good practice”.
Milly scoffed harder. “Marlin! You can’t be serious! You got nothing to prove!”
Marlin looked at her smiling. “I know, this is going to be a friendly spar” Marlin’s fiendish smile did not assure her.
“Why Marlin?”. Milly asked.
”For the same reason the old bitch made you practice your magic till you could do it in your sleep. practice, experience. I rarely get a chance like this where i can fight someone at my lvl. Someone who is matched this close to me. As a warrior I can learn a lot from fighting a fighter like him.
Bron looks up, “I thought you a hunter with how you fought”.
Marlin shook his head. “Yall saw him use combat rush and precise might right? molding his strength and dexterity into one. Striking with force, strength, speed, or nimbleness whatever the situation required?
Gromwul, Nodded. “I am a fighter, I hunt mostly alone”.
Bron kept sizing Gromwul up. “Huh”. Kotak nodded along. “Yea I noted a couple of things that gave it away, hunters never attack like you do, he gave a small smile”.
Marlin liked the idea of going at it again, “Alright Gromwul, you ready to taste fear again? Im not gonna pull any punches, if I allow you to fight at full force without attacking your psyche I don’t stand a chance.” Marlin looked at him.
Gromwel spoke,
“That’s how warriors fight, it’s how you fight. Truth be told I always looked down on warriors. You showed me how dangerous they can be. I need this practice, I’ve never had to deal with such intense mental attacks before you are really good at that”.
Him and Marlin went back to the sparring ground, the 3 T’jut in tow.
Joffrey overheard and shook his head. “This is a friendly spar everyone! No bets you got that!?” everyone grumbled.
“You thinking of revising your build?” Marlin asked, “now that you have faced me?”
Gromwell pondered, “I never really bothered with verbally intimidating or frightening people. I’ve been preparing myself for the ‘North wind’ discipline. I always left the psychological part of combat to the casters when a request for something of that nature came up”.
“Perhaps clear mind and martial focus?”Marlin offered.
The giant nodded, “I’ve been told that before by many, never gave it much weight, am now.”
Both combatants squared off again. This time Marlin took the lead and he let his rage and anger flare, he channeled the danger he represented and projected intense overwhelming oppression onto the Giant. It took him 2 seconds but it worked.
Gromwul’s spear shook before he could even bring it to bear. To Gromwull’s credit he moved Gracefully across the battlefield. Again he crosses the distance of 20 feet within an instant. This time however he kept distance, dipping in and out of his own reach of his spear striking fast, 4 times. Marlin sees 1 thrust come in wrong and wilfully takes it with manic glee, Gromwull flinches and steps back keeping a 10 foot distance, trying to catch his breath quickly.
Marlin steps in and then dashes forward seeing an opening and comes in with a heavy staggering blow of his axe.
Gromwul a lot more wary of Marlin, fumbles a sloppy Parry with his spear and lets himself fall backwards. creating a 10 feet distance again, too much for Marlin to follow up with a shield strike, Marlin dipped straight back into a defensive stance.
Gromwul attempted steadying his shaking. He trying to reassert his confidence but Marlin’s oppressive Presence and Pressure, enough to keep his spear shaking, Robbing Gromwul of his finesse.
Gromwul rushed with 5 heavy thrusts Marlin’s way. Marlin taking another thrust wilfully, trusting his armor and although the spear is heavy Marlin steps in.
Gromwul expertly keeping a distance. the onslaught of thrusts prevented Marlin from attacking. The last thrust comes straight for the eyeslit of Marlin’s helmet and he slamming the tip away with his shield.
Marlin realizes he can’t keep this up. He needs to advance and did so. Gromwul with his superior mobility keeps Marlin at bay with 5 more thrusts, one thrust slips of Marlins shield into his chest knocking the wind out of Marlin, the weight of the blow caused some bruising. He takes that moment to dive into the Giant.
Marlin flung another heavy fast axe swing towards the Giant and slammed his shield into the spear, it glanced off but hooks the spear of the giant in the last second as the giant attempt to sidestep and Gromwul tumbles into the ground. Marlin is wary of the giant’s speed and size and doesn’t follow up.
The giant rolls with his fall and he is up again creating 10 a feet distance again. 3 quick thrusts force Marlin on the Back foot.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
”fuck that reach”, Marlin thought.
The Giant breathing and gasping for air throws 5 more thrusts into Marlin who steps back out of the spears Reach.
The giants movement’s begin to slump.
”his second combat rush wore off” Marlin thought. Finally he could go on the offensive. The giant had to defend now. He was still fast but Marlin could finally start trading blows.
what followed was a slugfest. Round for round. Marlin’s defenses and frightening display kept the advantage with Marlin
Gromwul landing good blows simply wasn’t enough to overcome Marlin’s shield guard.
His spear thrusts usually clean, precise and powerful. Shook with fear and lacked the precision and speed needed to get passed Marlin’s shield. Marlin’s rage kept his offense and defense precise and clean. And although the giant had double Marlin’s health pool, marlin was slowly whittling him down while he kept the Thrusts of the giant down to glancing blows. The weight behind them was insane. Marlin’s shield and armor kept him in the running.
After a good ten minutes both men were covered in sweat. The victory went to Marlin, bruised and battered. Gromwul had tired himself out too much, he could barely stand.
Kotak POV
it was bonechilling to see Marlin fight the giant the second time, The giant didn’t underestimate Marlin at all but Marlin was just ludicrously consistent, grinning from ear to ear taking down a superior opponent inch by excruciating inch.
Intimidation was not a magical skill set, far from it. It usually only worked the first couple of times and then it would have diminishing returns.
In Marlin’s case, it was infused with ominous, sinister and Dark power. Marlin putting on his fearful display for all to see, choking the giant’s resolve before it could form and he kept the mental chokehold firmly around the Giant’s throat.
Kotak’s sensitive perception could almost see the tendrils wrapped around his own throat, a silent promise that if he were to fight Marlin, it wouldn’t be as much of a beatdown as it would have been a month ago. Marlin at second level was a different beast entirely. His gnoll’s Disposition had changed. They had gone from ugly cute muts to calculating vicious beasts.
He looked at Bron and tapped him on the shoulder and motioned with his head to follow him back to their table.
They left Milly who was looking wide eyed at Marlin. He saw the conflict inside her. On the one hand she was exhilarated, on the other hand fearful, the wicked smile tugging at her lips told him it was more of the Former.
”What is it? This is a good Fight”.
”the moment that Gromwul’s combat rush petered out, it was over, you know it and I know it. Marlin doesn’t make mistakes, he’s already won”.
Kotak took a breath and took stock, he saw Joffrey the receptionist talking to a group of grizzled men and women and he knew without reading their lips or hearing their words what it was about.
”Contingency, Bron. We need a Contingency”.
“I thought me going Berserker was the contingency.” Bron looked at Kotak frowning.
“Can you confidently say you can kill his Minion’s quickly enough? You don’t think Marlin hasn’t already figured out a way around your Mindless Frenzy? We are both going to hit lvl 5 before he hits lvl 3 but with the way things are going I wouldn’t rule out a second Tyrant crossing our paths for Marlin to absorb, Your father, the chiefs words of a dark convergence keep ringing in my head”.
Bron looked at Marlin’s, Gnolls and shook his head. “I can’t imagine what Marlin will look like at lvl 3. It would to take the two of us at the very least, not to mention Milly”.
Bron sighed. “She is head over heels brother, she’s fallen hard for him I mean look at her. She’s always had a thing for bad boys but one that declared his undying love to her? She’s becoming blind to the danger Marlin represents”.
Bron sighs as he sips his beer.
”Tells me not to worry”, Bron went on, “asks me constantly if I’m happy with going down the Berserker Path, as if she wasn’t the one that subtly suggested I should do it”.
Kotak Looked at Bron. “Do you regret it?”
Bron shook his head. “I might have, for a hot second or two but seeing Marlin rip and tear that giant mentally apart? I’m grateful I did. It’s not just Marlin that is a potential threat. Any enemy Caster is a Threat. That mental invasion is bullshit. Look at that guy! He should have had Marlin impaled on a spear easily but because he’s a shaking Mess he’s getting pummeled into submission!”
Marlin had just landed a couple more Blows. His eyes flared an intense dark blue, indicating he was thoroughly enjoying himself.
Kotak looked at Marlin, then at Milly, the way she was standing, gone was the powerful sorcereres, just a young woman excited seeing her love succeed while nervously fretting he might get hurt. He sighed of all the women he knew, Milly was the one he never expected to be like this.
As a friend he was happy for her, she was obviously in love even if she might not have said so. As the fight ended and Marlin wiped his face, the first person he looked for was Milly, his eyes flashed back to the azure blue whenever he looked at Milly. He grinned walked over and smooched her.
Kotak couldn’t shake the notion that it was the insidious whispers silently wrapping her in Marlin’s grip.
Marlin was talking to the giant, he saw how Marlin diffused the fear almost naturally with his bravado and constant influx of suggestions for the ‘build’ the giant was following.
Ever since The chief had the ‘talk’ with him and Bron, explaining the dangers of Marlin. He couldn’t see his friend Marlin the same way anymore and he hated it but his pragmatic side had to agree with the Chief.
Seeing Marlin beat down someone twice his own level was ludicrous. Bron was right, the Giant had twice the staying power but couldn’t put it to good use, he doubted if he himself could face the giant.
“well it’s pretty obvious the guy is smitten with your sister, If anything that might be the way to keep it all from blowing up”.
Bron scoffed, “the way my father talked of Marlin im surprised he hasn’t killed him himself yet”.
“Bradford is a level 12 champion Crusader and he vouches for Marlin. If it wasn’t for that, he would have. It’s his daughter”. Kotak sighed. “Nothing is ever easy”, he thought. Marlin and Milly came over slowly navigating the crowd.
“I tell you what though, I’m not going to throw the first blow”. Bron said slamming his drink down, “you know what? Screw what my father said and his stupid elders worrying about godforsaken omens! Marlin didn’t and wouldn’t hesitate to jump to our defense, saved my ass thrice over against that thror, didn’t hesitate to stand with my”. Bron looked at Kotak and Kotak was relieved.
Today was a rare day he remembered why he was comrades with Bron. Bron for all his brash behavior was straighter then an arrow.
Joffrey POV.
Seeing Marlin beat down Gromwul again was quite something. The tyrant boy was talented with his intimidating tactics, he observed how he made everyone around him believe he was reckless, mad, and out of control. It was remarkable how much control the boy had. Joffrey hadn’t needed to call his old crew, they all came over. Tina the duelist, Garreck the Knight. Raddick the oracle and aeryl the Weapon master.
Tina was small, lean a very serious woman uncharacteristically for duelists. Garreck the oldest of the 5, still looked like he was in his prime. A clear ‘aged like wine’ case. The calm storm, was his nickname.
Raddick the youngest, an oracle with a focus on support magic and countermagic. He had a nasty burn scar on his face that gave him a very weathered look
Lastly, Aeryl the Rok Nurr, weapon master. she was well built incredibly lean and lethal. A beautiful femme Fatale.
”Well that boy will be trouble if we are forced to bring him down.” Tina the adventurer remarked. “What do you think Garreck?” Tina asked the man in full plate.
The older gentleman brimming with energy and life twirled his mustache sighed and with a lamenting tone. “That the boy would have made a fine knight, his shield guard and strikes are well trained. He exceeds the sum of his parts”. He shook his head. “Such a waste that such a soul should be born under the shadow.”
Raddick observed the fight with his magic. “I disagree with you there Garreck. The way that boy wields his rage, i perceive it, like a blade. His manifestation is completely wrapped up and intertwined with it. used as an amplifier of sorts he is a warrior through and through. I see no curses btw. Not even the beginning of one.”
Aeryl scoffed, “with the way he’s got everyone on edge, you want me to believe he’s a goody two shoes?
Joffrey decided it was time to interject. “Audrey specifically told me to watch this boy, he is the son of Bradford, Light of the Radiant dawn.
That boy signed a truth statement just to piss someone off and to get some gossip of his back. Talked serious smack to Torren and walked out without getting charged, all days before Torren ever even realized who exactly he was messing with.”
Raddick shook his head and interrupted, “How Torren doesn’t have a curse, ever, is completely confounding.”
Joffrey continued, “Now I met the man Bradford. He is both the most reasonable champion but also the most Zealous. If that kid is walking around free without supervision. It means he earned the trust of that man. That means something, understand?”
Raddick face lit up, “That kid is the son of a chosen one? I never met the man is he as powerful as everyone claims?”
Tina sighed, “I remember him well, he has Sanctus Ultor 3 of us 5, would die. That’s the best case scenario, if the 5 of us have to face him.”
Garreck nodded along, “yup that’s about right. I witnessed him use it during the last Goblin horde ten years ago.”
Aeryl got up, “ima talk to him see if he is all that.” Joffrey sighs. “Behave yeah? Don’t need an angry dad”.
Aeryl turned around and rolled her eyes for him to see. “This is not my first rodeo, I’m simply gonna talk to a fellow martial.
Marlin POV
Panting heavily, Marlin commented. “That was a close fight”, even if he had the upper hand l, the size difference insured that any glancing hit still carried a lot of force behind the blow.
Marlin had dropped to a third of his health again but he didn’t really care. The last shield slam into the giants face, had the ref step in and end it.
“You are two levels below me, it still shames me that I do not compare.”
”I have the blessing of strife so i have 4 more perks than normal, my shield guard, shield strike and deflection defense are all due to that”. Also the Overlord discipline gives me synergy with intimidation.”
Gromwul rolled his eyes, “i noticed.”
Gromwul grunted, “Still as a fighter I should have had you. You are a warrior, how do you manage your rage? Most Warriors take years into their careers before they have an inkling of control. Your control is absurd and it sucked fighting you”.
”I was born with 3 warrior Disciplines, and rage was definitely a big issue at first but my dad had me jump through hoops every fucking day till I had it under control”.
”So from your point of view what am i doing wrong?”.
The giant looked him over. “What will you do when your minions, your friends are down? Why do you think almost everyone except the monks, Knights and spellcasters go for the offensive disciplines and perks? No offense but from my point of view your offense needs work, it’s too careful. You are a Warrior for fuck sake! You supposed to go nuts!”
Marlin laughed hard. “I am nuts and how does going nuts work out for most warriors huh? Warrior’s have the lowest survival rates for a reason.”
Marlin took a breath. “That being said I do agree with you. Not much I can do about it. I got the savage trait and ominous star so My attributes are locked in for the most part”.
Marlin started talking back and forth with the giant a female Rok Nurr Weapon Master stepped in at some point to join in on the philosophical debate.
Rok Nurr, Marlin noted, was like mixing Conan the barbarian with elves and give em a grey rocky skin. He saw quite few of them sitting around drinking Beer or talking.
Milly POV
She chuckled at what she was seeing. Marlin had just beat the shit out of a Giant, whom were known for their arrogance and pride. And here he was exchanging pointers. With a giant and a Nurr. She hated how the Woman who had an amazonian beauty going for herself, was eyeing up Marlin.
She stepped closer to Marlin. The Nurr smirked at her, god how she hated that smirk, how it made her feel how she still had these urges.
She wanted to trust Marlin she knew she should. In the last half year of bonding with him she should know better then some random woman stealing him from her. But the pain of her previous betrayal had never truly gone away. She felt a squeeze in her hands and that all knowing look from Marlin. He smirked and silently mouthed ten. She blushed.
Marlin POV
As he was walking back to the table, he had the feeling he had been interrogated, kinda like with Torren but without the malice. He saw the Rok Nur strike up a conversation with Joffrey and 3 other’s, all grizzled veterans. They oozed respect. Everyone gave them a respectful birth or nod. No one passed and ignored them. Joffrey was looking at him and gave him a smirk and a nod. “Huh they don’t beat around the bush,” he thought to himself. He sighed, time to earn a reputation not just for himself but his friends as well.
He slammed down a request on the table. “You guys up for hunting goblins?”
Joffrey POV
”And?” Everyone was looking at Aeryl.
”Yea you talked quite a while with the pup,” Garreck commented.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve, I liked his girl more though, so feisty, so possessive”. Aeryl smirked.